Schools are being forced to put on more extra-curricular activities to stop
the brightest pupils becoming “bored and switched off” during GCSEs,
according to a leading head teacher.

Oliver Blond, the head of Henrietta Barnett School, rated the top state school in today’s Daily Telegraph league table, said staff were required to teach beyond the narrow confines of examination syllabuses to keep children focused.

It comes amid concerns that the state system is too orientated towards tests at the expense of a rounded education.

At Henrietta Barnett, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, north London, some 96.46 per cent of exams were graded an A* or A.

The all-girl grammar school is currently one of the most popular in the country, attracting almost 12 applicants for every place.

But Mr Blond insisted that the school did not drill pupils to pass tests.

All girls are given research projects, asked to join debating groups and invited to regular lecturers by visiting university academics on subjects unrelated to GCSEs or A-levels.

“It is important to give pupils an education based not only on the syllabus but on their interests and passions,” he said. “Our Year 11s that got these fantastic results are very dedicated but we have to supplement the school day to make sure they are not bored and switched off. We have to make sure their education is not too mechanical.

“It is a difficult balancing act at times. We focus as much as we can on music, drama, art and sport, and make sure they get on as many school trips as possible. They need to do things that are not part of the curriculum.

“The more we do that, the more they are interested in school and they better they achieve. Out responsibility is to ensure girls are developing a mature perspective on the world as much as they are passing exams.”

The comments follow claims from teachers’ leaders that the GCSE system is failing to get the best of teenagers.

Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "Our exam system is particularly ill-suited to helping young people develop their creativity, initiative, team-working, problem-solving and reasoning skills which they need in work and to continue in higher education."

Henrietta Barnett was among only three girls’ schools in the Daily Telegraph top 10. Latymer, a mixed grammar in Enfield, north London, came second, while the top performing boys’ school was Wilson’s in Surrey.

It comes amid growing demand for grammar schools. Many have been swamped with enquiries as many parents attempt to find a cheap alternative to fee-paying schools during the recession.

Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, has criticised selective state schools, saying they condemn thousands of children to educational “failure” at 11 if they are denied places.

But Mr Blond called on the Government to allow grammar schools to play a greater role in the state education system, saying their “expertise” in stretching the brightest pupils could be put to better use.

*Today’s Daily Telegraph league tables were compiled from voluntary results submitted by schools themselves. It is not an exhaustive list and official Government league tables will be published in January.

Grammar schools are ranked by the proportion of entries graded A* and A. Comprehensives are ranked by the proportion of pupils with five A* to C grade GCSEs, including English and maths.